Water heater



| c. GLISSON Nov. 7, 1933.

WATER HEATER Filed Oct. 10, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 7, 1933. Q GLISSON 1,934,496

WATER HEATER Filed Opt. 10, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 2 NW. 7, 1933. GUSSON' 1,934,496

' WATER HEATER Filed Oct. 10. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I z j 4 2&9

Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES.

P-ATENT. OFFICE.

WATER HEATER Lloyd c. Gllsson, New York, N. Y. Application October 10, 1928. Serial No. 311,660 29 Claims. ((31.25'7-225) This invention pertains to water heaters, and more particularly to that type of heaters known as indirect water heaters, wherein the heat from a primary heating means or fire is transmitted through an intermediate means, such as water or steam, for changing the temperature of another body of water or fluid.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the kind mentioned which shall be simple in construction and positive and eflicient in operation.

Another object is to provide means for regulating to a uniform pre-determined temperature the water or fluid so heated.

Another object is to provide means for shielding the tubes against becoming fouled by boiler scale, rust and other foreign matter, including means for separating this foreign matter from the heating medium.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sec; tion through a device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation on an enlarged scale (of the side on which the thermal element is located) of a thermostatically controlled valve employed in connection with this invention.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the reverse side of said thermostatically controlled valve, showing the means for setting or adjusting same.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows in a somewhat diagrammatic way an installation 01 my heater as usually employed in connection with a heating boiler and hot water storage tank.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of a modified form of this invention adaptable for horizontal position and may be employed in a shell external to a heating boiler,or may be placed within the boiler. Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the outer header and Fig. 8 is an elevation of one of the tube sheets showing the tube arrangement in this modification.

Referring to the details of the drawings, shell 1, which may be constructed of cast iron or other suitable material, is provided with inlet 2, outlet 3 and cover 4. Between the shell and the cover is located upper tube sheet 5. Within the opposite or lower end of the shell is located lower tube sheet 6, to which is attached closure 7 by means of bolts 8. The tubes consist of a large central tube 9 surrounded by a number of smaller tubes 10. These tubes, which may be of copper or other suitable material. are made fast at each end, prefstably by rotling, into tube sheets 5 and 6. Eurrounding the upper portion of the tubes is shield 11 which is provided with opening 12. This shield is attached to and supported by tube sheet 5. Within compartment 13, which is formed by cover 4 and tube sheet 5, is a thermo-hydrostatically operated temperature regulator. This regulator consists of tubular member 14. forming an upward continuation of the central tube 9, cap 15 thereover and baflie 16. Baflie 16 is rigidly attached to member 14 and is adjustable through an up and down movement of the member 14 by means of thread 17, whereby the flow through the small tubes may be retarded to the desired degree for purposes hereinafter stated. Member or cap 15 is adjustably ounted on member 14 by means of threaded rod 18 whereby these two members are made adjustable one relative to the other, for the purpose hereafter stated. The outlet from large tube 9 is through hollow member 14 lateral, opening 19 in the upper end thereof and reverse channel 20 between the hollow member 14 and the cap and outlet 21 at the lower end of the cap.

The thermostatically operated valve mounted in inlet 2 consists of discs 22 and 23 which are provided withopenings 24 and 25 respectively, which openings register one with the other. These discs are pivotally mounted together ,at their centers by means of shaft 26. This is rotatably mounted within a central; opening in disc 22 and disc 23 is rotatably mounted on said shaft. This shaft extends at'each end beyond the outer surfaces of said discs. To one end of the shaft is rigidly attached thermal element 27, which element is attached at its opposite end to disc 23 by means of pin 28. The movement of this disc is limited by means of pin 29 on disc 22 extending into a slot 30 in'disc 23. The movement of said disc is accomplished by means of thermal element 2'., which consists of two strips of unevenly expanding metals and constitutes what is commonly known as thermal metal. To the opposite end of shaft 26 is attached gear 31 which meshes with gear 32. These gears are manually movable through stem 33 and constitute means for setting the thermostatic element 27 to function at the desired predetermined temperature, whereby the flow of water through openingZ is automatically restricted or increased as desired.

The tubes are placed under tension by means of packing nut 36 through thread 37. Thermal expansion merely slackens this tension, whereby deleterious results incident to increased temperature are obviated.

in Fig. 5 a heater of the type described, is

shown attached to a heating boiler through pipes 2A and 3A and to a -hot water storage tank through pipes 34A and 35A.

The operation is as follows: -Water flows from the heating boiler through pipe 2A and inlet 2 into the shell of the heater designated 1. This water, which constitutes the heating medium, flows around shield 11 and passes into the space surrounding the tubes through opening 12. From thence, by thermo-siphon action, it flows down over the tubes and then through outlet 3 and the boiler.

The water to be heated flows from the lower portion of the hot water storage tank through pipe 34A, inlet 34 and compartment 42 into tubes 9 and 10 and from thence by thermo-siphon action, flows through compartment 13, outlet 35 and pipe 35A into the upper portion of. the hot water storage tank.

It should be borne in mind that it is the thermohydrostatic pressure produced by the specific gravity diiferential of the water within and outside of the heater that produces the circulation of water through the heater, as it is this thermohydrostatic pressure principle that is employed in the present invention for accomplishing the regulation of the temperature of water discharged from the heater.

This thermo-hydrostatic pressure, which is due to the thermo-specific-gravity differential within the heater and in pipes 34A and 35A, as well as in the lower and upper portions of the hot water storage tank, is in direct alignment with and concentrated within large tube 9. The reverse movement the water is required to make in leaving tube 9 through opening 19 and reverse channel 20 places a resistance or tension on the flow of water therethrough and thereby retards the action thereof. The water may be caused to flow through the tube 9 at the desired pre-determined thermohydrostatic pressure .by the upward or downward movement of member 15 of the thermo-hydrostatically operated temperature regulator. From and above this pre-determined point, the functioning of this regulator and tube as to the volume of water flowing therethrough is increased and decreased in proportion to the increase and decrease of the thermo-speciflc-gravity differential within the heater in pipes 34A and 35A and in the lower and upper portions of the hot water storage tank. The water flowing through large tube 9 does not heat as rapidly as in the small tubes 10, and the temperature of the water flowing therefrom is determined by the velocity of the flow of water therethrough, the higher the velocity, the lower the temperature. Hence an increase in the temperature of the heating medium is offset or counteracted by the increased flow of water of relatively low temperature through said large tube 9, which increased flow is due to the increased thermo-hydrostatic pressure caused by increase in the thermo-specific gravity differential and the consequent increased concentration of direct pressure into said large tube. An increase in the flow of water through large tube 9 causes a corresponding decrease in the volume of water flowing through small tubes 10 and vice versa, whereby the water flowing from the heater is maintained at uniform temperature.

The part of the thermo-hydrostatically operated regulator designated a baflle and indicated by numeral 16, interposes a resistance to the flow of water through the inner small tubes, thereby balancing their function with the outer tubes. By the upward or downward movement of battle 16 by means of thread 1'7 the resistance, friction or tension on the water flowing from said small tubes can be adjusted to any desired degree. This baflle, together with cap or bafile 15, constitutes a baffle differential which may be adjusted to vary the flow through large tube 9 and small tubes 10 in relation to each other, thereby varying-or regulating the temperature of water flowing from the heater.

The above described regulator and thermo hydrostatic-pressure regulation is all that is necessary in most cases, as demonstrated by a number of this type of heaters which I now have inv operation under varying conditions.

But in cases where additional regulation may be required, I have provided the thermostatically operated valve shown in connection with inlet 2. This thermostatically operated valve automatically closes and opens as the temperature of the heating medium rises and falls, thereby decreasing or increasing the volume of the heating medium in proportion to the increase-or decrease of the temperature thereof. By means of stem 33 and. gear 32 this regulator can be set to begin functioning'at any desired temperature.

Plugged opening 45 is provided to permit washing off the tubes.

The modified form of this invention shown in Figs. 6, 'l and 8 may be employed in connection with a horizontal shell, located externally to a heating boiler, the installation being substantially the same as that of the vertical type shown and describedin connection with Fig. 5. Or this type may be installed with the tubes extending into the heating boiler, preferably above the boiler tubes. In this case, tube sheet 5A and header 42 are secured to the outer plate of the boiler by means of bolts or screws 43. In this modification the water to be heated enters through inlet 34A, passes through large central tube 9A, return header 44, small tubes 10A, compartment 13A, and outlet 35B. In this modification is also shown a modified form of the regulator, it being a modification of the thermostatically operated regulator shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This regulator consists of member 22A, disc 23A, rod 26A and thermal element 27A. The principle and operation is substantially the same as that of the thermostatically operated valve or regulator shown and described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except in this case the valveopens when the temperature rises beyond a predetermined point thereby permitting a pre-determined amount of cooler water to by-pass therethrough and thereby maintaining a uniform temperature of the water discharged from the heater through outlet 353. In this case the thermal element consists of a helix, one end of which is attached to rod 26A and the other end is attached to pin 28A by which it rotates disc 23A. This disc and member 22A with which it co-acts is provided with openings 25A and 24A respectively, corresponding with tively.

It is obvious that this invention can be employed in ways and for purposes other than the specific way and purpose shown and described. It is also obvious that the principles shown therein may be employed for purposes other than connection with the specific purpose of heating water.

This invention has been described in connection with a. number of illustrative embodiments, forms, materials and parts, to the details of which the patent is of course not to be limited, since what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims:

1. A water heater comprising a shell having tubes therein, a shield around the tubes adapted to shield the tubes against sediment and means adapted to permit precipitation to deposit said sediment into a compartment at the bottom of the shell below the tubes.

' 2. A water heater comprising a shell having an inlet and outlet adapted to be attached to a heating boiler-for permitting the water of the heating boiler to circulate therethrough, heat transfer means within the shell adapted to permit water to flow therethrough, a shield around the heat transfer means and .an opening in said shield at he opposite side of the heater to that of the boiler water inlet whereby the boiler water is caused to pass around the shield before contacting the heat transfer means.

3. A water heater comprising a shell, adapted to permit thermo-siphon circulation of water' there hrough from a heating boiler, heat exchange means within the shell adapted to'permit circulation of water therethrough, a shield around the heat exchange means having an inlet remote from the point, of boiler water inflow and means adapted to permit precipitation to deposit scale and other foreign matter from the boiler water into a compartment remote from the tubes. I

4. A water heater comprising a shell adapted to permit circulation of water therethrough from a, heating boiler, heat exchange means within the shell adapted to permit circulation of water therethrough, means for protecting the heat exchange means against becoming fouled by sediment from the heating boiler including means for precipitating said sediment into a sediment compartment.

5. A water heater comprising a shell having tubes longitudinally arranged therein and means comprising a lock-nut for placing a tension on said tubes.

6. A water heater comprising a shell adapted to permit a heating medium to flow therethrough, a centrally located large tube surrounded by a plurality of smaller tubes longitudinally arranged within said shell, said shell having an inlet and outlet through the ends thereof, the direct line of pressure being through said large tube, a hollow member attached to the upper end of said large tube forming a continuation thereof, an opening in the upper end of said hollow member and a cap of largerdiameter than the outside of said hollow member, having its open end extending below the opening in said hollow member adapted to baflie the flow through said large tube.

7. A water heater comprising a shell adapted to permit a heating medium toflow therethrough, heat exchange means within the shell comprising a large tube surrounded by a plurality of smaller tubes, a hollow member attached to the upper end of said large tube forming a continuation thereof, an opening in the upper portion of said hollow member and a cap over said hollow member of larger diameter than the outsideof said hollow member having its open end extending below he opening in said hollow member, whereby the flow from said large tube is through a reverse channel outlet,

and a disc forming a baflle between the upper end of said small tubes and the outlet from the shell.

8. A water heater comprising heat exchange means adapted to permit water to flow therethrough and means comprising a centrally located large tube having a reverse channel opening at its upper end.

9. A-water heater comprising a shell adapted to permit a heating medium to flo'v therethrough, heat exchange means within the shell comprising a large tube surrounded by a pluralityiof smaller tubes, a baflle over some of the small tubes, and a reverse channel outlet for the largetube.

10. A water heater comprising a centrally located large tube surrounded by a plurality of smaller tubes, and a baflle difierential adapted to automatically vary the flow through the large tube in relation, to the flow through the small tubes when the temperature of the heater is increased ordecreased.

-11. A water heater adapted to permit water to circulate therethrough, comprising comparatively slow heat exchange means and a more rapid heat'exchange means, and baiiie differential means adapted to automatically vary the relative flow therethrough at varylngtemperatures of the heating medium.

12. A water heater adapted to permit circulation of water therethrough, comprising comparatlvely slow heat exchange means and a more rapid heat exchange means, and means adapted to automatically vary the relative flow therethrough at varying temperatures of the heating medium.

13. A water heater comprising heat exchange means adapted to permit water to flow therethrough, consisting of a large tube and a plu rality of smaller tubes, a baflle over the large tube, a baffle over the small tubes, and means for adjusting said bafiles in relation to each adjusting said retarding means in relation to each other.

.15. A water heatercomprising heat exchange means adapted to permit water to flow therethrough, means for retarding said flow, means for admitting water of lower temperature into the water flowing from the heater, and means for adjusting said retarding means and said admitting means in relation to each other.

16. A water heater comprising heat exchange means adapted to permit water toflow therethrough and means adapted to function as the result of increased temperature of the heating medium, for admitting a volume of water of lower temperature into a volume of water of higher temperature flowing from the heater.

17. A water heater adapted to supply hot water to a storage tank, comprising heat ,exchange means adapted to permit water to flow therethrough, and baflie differential means adapted to function as the result of increased temperature of a volume of water flowing from said heater to said tank for admitting a volume of water of relatively low temperature into a volume of water of higher temperature.

18. A water heater adapted to supply hot waterto a hot water distributing system, comprising heat exchange means adapted to permit water to flow therethrough and means adapted to function as the result of increased temperature of a volume of water flowing from said heat-.

er to said distributing system, for admitting a volume of water of lower temperature to said 19.'A water heater comprising a shell having an inlet and outlet adapted to permit a heating medium to flow therethrough, heat transfer means within the shell comprising a large tube and a plurality'of smaller tubes, means adapted to function as a result of thermo-hydrostatic pressure variation due to temperature change within the heater, for varying the relative flow of fluid to be heated through the large and small tubes.

20. A water heater comprising a shell having an inlet and outlet adapted to permit a heating medium to flow therethrough, heat transfer means within the shell consisting of a large tube and a plurality of smaller tubes adapted to permit fluid to be heated to flow therethrough, and thermally operated means adapted to vary the relative flow through said large and small tubes.

21. A water heater comprising a shell having an inlet and outlet adapted to permit a heating medium to flow therethrough, heat transfer means within the shell consisting of a large tube and a plurality of smaller tubes adapted to permit fluid to be heated to flow'therethrough, thermally operated means adapted to vary the relative flow through the large and small tubes, and means adapted to automatically control the flow of v heating mediumto said heater.

through, and means adapted to function thermohydrostatically as the result of variations of temperature of water flowing from the heater, for regulating the temperature of said flow.

24, A water heater comprising a shell adapted to permit a heating medium to flow therethrough, heat exchange means within theshell adapted to permit water to flow therethrough, and baflle differential means adapted to function as the result of thermo-hydrostatic pressure variation due to the variation of the temperature of the heating medium, for regulating the temperature of the water flowing from the heater.

25. A water heater comprising heat exchange means adapted to permit water to flow' therethrough, means adapted to apply heatto said exchange means, and means adapted to function as the result of thermo-hydrostatic pressure variation consequent to temperature variations of the heating means, for regulating the temperature of the water flowing from the heat exchange means.

26. A water heater adapted to "supply hot water to a hot water distributing system, means for flowing a heating medium to the heater, and thermally operated means contained wholly within said flow means for controlling the flow therethrough.

27. A water heater adapted to permit water to be heated to flow therethrough, means for permitting a heating medium consisting of boiler water to flow through said heater, and means wholly contained within the boiler water flow means adapted to thermostatically control the flow therethrough.

28. A water heater adapted to supply hot 

